DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 529 Engrossed 2020 Regular Session Duplessis
Abstract: Provides for the issuance of letters of incarceration upon request of any person who was
or is confined in any correctional institution or who was or is under probation or parole
supervision.
Proposed law provides that any person who was or is confined in any prison, jail, work release
facility, or correctional institution or who was or is under the supervision of the division of probation
and parole is entitled to receive, upon request, a letter of incarceration which provides
documentation, verification, or proof of the person's confinement in the prison, jail, work release
facility, or correctional institution or supervision while on probation and parole.
Proposed law provides for the procedure by which such requests shall be made and provides that a
requested letter shall be issued no later than seven days after the date of receipt of the request.
Proposed law requires certain information to be provided in a letter of incarceration including the
name of the person who was or is confined or under supervision, the dates of incarceration or
supervision, the admit date and the date of release, and the last location of the incarceration.
(Adds R.S. 15:714)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Administration of Criminal
Justice to the original bill:
1. Add that a letter of incarceration may be requested from the local office of the Dept. of
Public Safety and Corrections, division of probation and parole.
2. Require the letter to be issued within seven days, instead of within five days, after the
date of receipt of the request.
3. Amend the information included in the letter of incarceration to do all of the following:
(a)Remove the requirement that the letter include information regarding the length
of time served and instead, require it to include the admit date and the date of
release. (b)Specify that the information in the letter regarding the location of incarceration
shall include only the information about the last location of incarceration.
(c)Remove the requirement that the letter include information regarding the offense
or offenses for which the person was confined.
4. Remove the proposed law provision which allows the person to request that the letter
include information regarding the person's conviction history and security status or
classification status at the time of release.